This week, Feyenoord welcomed bottom-of-the-league club Heracles Almelo to De Kuip. The hosts played excellently last time out, recording a 4-0 win over FC Groningen. Heracles recorded their first win of the season just before the international break, an excellent 6-1 victory over NAC Breda. Both sides opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Mathijsen being the only change for Feyenoord. Heracles remained unchanged since their victory over NAC Breda, and looked to replicate their success against Feyenoord.

The first half was utterly dominated by the home side, and they will have felt like they deserved more than a 2-0 lead going into the half time break. In the 6th minute, the first chance of the game fell to Lex Immers after Kazim-Richards helped it on to the midfielder. However, the Dutchman was off balance and his shot flew high and wide. Only 5 minutes later the game got its first goal courtesy of Elvis Manu. It came from a route one long ball from Wilkshire which was excellently controlled by Manu, who produced a clean finish under the keeper. The first Heracles chance fell to Fledderus, but his effort from outside the box tamely rolled into Kenneth Vermeer’s grasp. Feyenoord’s second goal came in the 18th minute and was once again scored by Elvis Manu. A poorly defended corner fell straight to Manu, who struck on the half-volley from 10 yards. In the 23rd minute, Kazim-Richards found himself with a costless header from 6 yards, but the striker lacked composure and headed over the bar. In the 34th minute, Toornstra’s outstretched leg from Manu’s cross would’ve resulted in a goal, however Telgenkamp produced an excellent reaction save. The final chance of the game fell to Heracles in the 38th minute after Weghorst headed towards Vermeer’s goal from a Bruns delivery. However, his headed effort was expertly denied by the ex-Ajax goalkeeper.

In the 47th minute, Feyenoord replaced Joris Mathijsen with Matthew Steenvoorden, a 21-year-old debutant for the home side. For long periods of the second half, neither side produced anything and it was evident that both sides were willing to sit back and accept the score-line. In the 62nd minute however, Feyenoord’s eagerness to sit back was punished after Wilkshire’s late tackle in the box resulted in a Heracles penalty. Centre-back Weldmate converted the penalty excellently, putting Heracles right back in the game. The next Feyenoord chance fell to Elvis Manu again after a wonderful delivery, but the winger seemed to be pulled down in the box. Despite this, Feyenoord’s penalty claims were waved away by the referee. The 74th minute withheld a chance for Jordy Clasie at the edge of the box, but the Heracles keeper denied well. Feyenoord tried to put the game to bed in the closing ten minutes, but efforts from Boetius, Kazim-Richards and El-Ahmadi were all prevented by Telgenkamp. Kazim-Richards was once again denied by Telgenkamp in the 84th minute, which summed up an excellent second half performance by the Dutchman. Toornstra put through Nelom in the 86th minute, and the left-back really should’ve scored with what was a golden opportunity.

Feyenoord will be content with the three points after a disheartening second half performance. Heracles would have never dreamed of only losing by one goal after a shambolic first 60 minutes, so the result will settle nicely with both sides. Heracles stay bottom of the table and are in serious trouble if they do not start picking up some consistency soon. Feyenoord move up to 8th in the table after recording their third consecutive win in the Eredivisie.